Geysir
Ideal: Ideal for geothermal nature, short stops, and Golden Circle travelers.
The word geyser in languages around the world comes directly from here — from the Icelandic geysa, meaning to gush. The original Geysir, however, now erupts almost never; earthquakes and a period when visitors triggered artificial blasts by throwing in soap damaged its channel. The eruption you see today belongs to Strokkur right beside it, shooting 15–20 meters every five to ten minutes. The blue bubble swelling on the surface just before an eruption is the moment photographers wait for.
Did you know?
Does the word "geyser" come from here?
Yes. The word in languages worldwide derives directly from this Geysir, whose name comes from the Icelandic verb meaning to gush.
Does the original Geysir still erupt?
Rarely. The Great Geysir has been mostly dormant for a long time; the regular eruptions visitors see come from neighbouring Strokkur, which shoots 20–30 m every 5–10 minutes.
What happens just before an eruption?
The water in the vent bulges for an instant into a blue dome — the sign of pressure from water flashing to steam below, and the best moment for a photograph.
Why go?
- To watch an active geyser eruption up close
- To experience Iceland's geothermal nature
- Because it is a short but memorable stop on the Golden Circle
Travel tip
Strokkur erupts every few minutes; be patient and wait through a few cycles for a good photo.
